The Panthers took the first set, but the top-ranked Eagles took control in a 3-1 victory Saturday in Mechanicsburg.
MECHANICSBURG — The Central York boys’ volleyball team exited the stage of the Cumberland Valley gymnasium Saturday afternoon with plenty of reason to hold its head high. But it was fair to wonder what could have been if one key sequence had gone differently.
The Panthers had taken the first set of the District 3 Class 3A championship match, becoming the first team all season to take a game against the unbeaten Eagles in best-of-five competition. After Cumberland Valley cruised to victory in the second frame, the teams went back and forth in the third set until they were tied at 22 points apiece, each within striking distance of the match lead.
The Eagles came up clutch, slamming it home three times to take the set and take command. They left no doubt in the fourth, clinching a 23-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-16 triumph and its second district championship in three years.
Cumberland Valley, the top-ranked Class 3A team in all of Pennsylvania, swept Central York when it won the 2023 district title. The Panthers reclaimed the throne with a five-set victory over Warwick last spring. Central was seeded sixth in this year’s bracket but won a pair of road showdowns to earn its shot at the Eagles.
“We knew we had to come out and start fast, and that’s what we did,” Central York senior setter Lance Shaffer said. “After that, they turned it on and played great.”
Senior John He paced the Panthers (16-3) with 17 kills and eight digs; fellow senior Patrick Siewert added 13 kills and five digs; and Shaffer finished with 12 digs and 38 assists. Central also received eight kills and five digs from junior Ian DeVos, as well as 17 digs from sophomore Shivesh Jethwa.
Seniors Bryson Webb and Aidan Dunwoody tallied 22 and 13 kills, respectively, and six digs apiece for the Eagles (18-0). Senior Isaiah Sibbitt dished 48 assists and junior Hayden Ackley notched 25 digs.
The match was played Saturday due to conflicts with graduations Thursday and Friday. He, Siewert, Shaffer and the rest of Central York’s senior class celebrated their commencement Friday evening and faced a quick turnaround. The Panthers were bursting with energy as play began, though. Senior Ryan Ulmer landed a backflip during the pregame pump-up huddle, and Central’s bench was noticeably more animated throughout the contest.
The 24-time district champion Panthers made the first move, scoring four straight points to go up 5-2, and they never relinquished their first-set lead. Cumberland Valley rallied to trim a 21-16 deficit to 21-19, and the Eagles clawed within one point at 25-23. But He softly dropped the winning point over the net and Central York’s opening statement was complete.
“I think our guys did a great job of just executing our game plan in Game 1,” Panthers co-head coach John Feldmann said. “They were really focused and just didn’t budge an inch in each point.”
Cumberland Valley took control early in the second set and was never threatened, setting up a dramatic Game 3. The lead changed hands several times, and after Central went up 19-16 on a block by Ethan Quartey, the Eagles quickly tied it at 20-all and reclaimed the lead at 22-21. He’s tying kill was followed by a block that sailed wide, a slam from CV’s Derek Paul and a Panther miscue at the net.
“We just didn’t execute the way we needed to to win the game,” Feldmann said. “Cumberland Valley made the plays they needed to do that and we did not, so that’s why they’re the champs today.”
Aspirations of a fifth set were short-lived. Central held a brief 7-6 lead in the fourth, but Cumberland Valley responded with four straight and stretched the margin as wide as 22-13 late in the frame. The Eagles scored the final three points for good measure.
Both teams were already assured of hosting their PIAA playoff opener on Tuesday, but Cumberland Valley earned a much more desirable path through the bracket with its district title. Central York, ranked fifth in this week’s PVCA Class 3A poll, will be saddled with a first-round matchup against third-ranked Seneca Valley, the District 7 runner-up. Both D3 finalists will need two victories to set up a rematch in the semifinals.
The Panthers had not played Cumberland Valley in an official match since the 2023 district final, but the teams met at multiple weekend tournaments this season, with Central York most recently knocking the Eagles out of bracket play at State College’s Little Lion Invitational. Cumberland Valley, though, was unbeaten against the Panthers in four sets en route to its April championships at Northeastern’s Bobcat Invitational and Central York’s Koller Classic.
Saturday was another feather in the cap for the Eagles, who have topped the statewide coaches’ poll since the second week of play. The preseason No. 1, ironically, was Central York, and the Panthers still have aspirations of claiming their eighth state championship — and first since 2017 — in two weeks.
“It’s something that’s been passed down from each iteration of each team, the standard of Central York volleyball,” Feldmann said. “We talk about that a lot — just through the history of the program, there’s kind of an expectation, a standard with that. We don’t shy away from it, we try to embrace it, and this group has really worked hard and prepared well to give themselves the opportunity to play in a game like this, against one of the best teams in the state, with the district title on the line.
“Moving forward, we have a quick turnaround now … so we’re gonna get back to the drawing board and get right back to work in preparing for Seneca Valley on Tuesday.”
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PAPIO AND WESTSIDE FACE OFF IN THE NIGHTCAP. CREIGHTON VOLLEYBALL ADDS ITS THIRD HIGH PROFILE TRANSFER OF THE OFFSEASON. TRINITY SCHAD SERIES. SHE’S AN OUTSIDE HITTER FROM WISCONSIN. SHE’S FROM ONTARIO, CANADA, AND IS A STANDOUT TRACK ATHLETE AS WELL. HOW ABOUT THIS GUY? SHE PARTICIPATED IN THE OLYMPIC TRIALS FOR CANADA IN THE LONG JUMP IN 2014. BRIAN ROSSEN SAYS HER EXPLOSIVENESS, A BIG ASSET AND QUITE TRA
Creighton volleyball adds Wisconsin outside hitter to its roster
Updated: 6:30 PM CST Jan 2, 2026
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Creighton volleyball added an outside hitter from the transfer portal.Trinity Shadd-Ceres has joined the Bluejays after helping Wisconsin to the Final Four last season.Shadd-Ceres played in nine matches with Wisconsin, totaling 12 kills, six digs, four assists, and two blocks.Eight of the Ontario, Canada, native’s kills came during the NCAA Tournament.The 5-foot-11 outside hitter is Creighton’s third high-profile transfer, joining Ayden Ames from Texas and Katie Dalton from Kansas.”Everyone we have talked to about Trinity says she is the best teammate and hardest worker, so she is going to fit right in here at Creighton,” said Creighton head coach Brian Rosen. “She may also be the best overall athlete in any sport to come through! Trinity is so explosive off the floor, has a great arm, and ability to play six rotations. With experience in the Final Four this season, she can handle the big moments. With Angie’s training, there is no limit to her potential and we are all so excited to get her in the gym this spring!” The Bluejays finished the 2025 season with a 28-6 record with their 14th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, 12 consecutive Big East regular season title, sixth Big East Tournament title, and second straight Elite Eight.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
OMAHA, Neb. —
Creighton volleyball added an outside hitter from the transfer portal.
Trinity Shadd-Ceres has joined the Bluejays after helping Wisconsin to the Final Four last season.
Shadd-Ceres played in nine matches with Wisconsin, totaling 12 kills, six digs, four assists, and two blocks.
Eight of the Ontario, Canada, native’s kills came during the NCAA Tournament.
The 5-foot-11 outside hitter is Creighton’s third high-profile transfer, joining Ayden Ames from Texas and Katie Dalton from Kansas.
“Everyone we have talked to about Trinity says she is the best teammate and hardest worker, so she is going to fit right in here at Creighton,” said Creighton head coach Brian Rosen. “She may also be the best overall athlete in any sport to come through! Trinity is so explosive off the floor, has a great arm, and ability to play six rotations. With experience in the Final Four this season, she can handle the big moments. With Angie’s training, there is no limit to her potential and we are all so excited to get her in the gym this spring!”
The Bluejays finished the 2025 season with a 28-6 record with their 14th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, 12 consecutive Big East regular season title, sixth Big East Tournament title, and second straight Elite Eight.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
NORTHAMPTON — The Pioneer Valley Regional and Greenfield track and field teams faced off at Smith College in a Valley South matchup on Friday morning. The Green Wave boys delivered a 66-8 win over the Panthers. The Pioneer girls took a 46-41 win over Greenfield.
Pioneer’s Carter Berthiaume scored points for Pioneer and was first overall (5-8.0) in the high jump.
Mason Youmell grabbed a second place overall (8.33, PR) in the 55-hurdles for the Green Wave. Youmell took second overall (5-6.00) in the high jump as well. Youmell took the day off from the 600-meter event to participate in the relay. Shaving some seconds off his overall time in the 600-meter is a personal goal.
Mason Youmell of the Greenfield track and field team participates in a relay at Smith College, Friday in Northampton. Credit: RYAN AMES / Staff Photo
“I am really hoping to get 1:27 by the end of the season,” Youmell said. “That seems like a realistic goal. I’ve cut off seconds from all of my personal records. I’ve been doing better.”
In another personal best performance, Ryan Spofford placed second overall (2:57.35) in the 1000-meter.
Ryan Spofford of the Greenfield track and field team participates in the 1000-meter run at Smith College, Friday in Northampton. Credit: RYAN AMES / Staff Photo
For context, the overall winner (1:31.45) of the 600-meter event was Owen Platt of Amherst. Alex Scotera placed second overall (1:33.72) in the 600-meter for the Green Wave. The performance was a personal record for Scotera.
Dylan Breiwick placed fourth overall (3:05.23) in the 1000-meter for Greenfield. Breiwick also was fifth overall (5:07.87) in the mile for the Green Wave.
For the Pioneer girls, Harper Hake’s performances in distance events helped fuel the win over the Green Wave. In the mile, Hake scored and took seventh overall (6:29.79).
Harper Hake (left) of the Pioneer Valley Regional track and field team participates in the 600-meter run at Smith College, Friday in Northampton. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo
“I like where I am right now,” Hake said. “I am truing to get a sub six in the mile. I want to get a better time in the two mile too.”
To improve her time in distance events, Hake relies on good nutrition and does runs that are longer than her events. Hake was 10th overall (2:02.32) in the 600-meter. The performance was a personal record for the freshman. In the 2-mile, Hake placed third overall (14:30).
Kyra Tamsin led the charge for the Green Wave in the girls’ events. In the 55-hurdles, Tamsin took first overall (10.48, PR) for Greenfield. Tamsin set another personal record in the 300-meter, placing eighth overall (48.62.)
“My 300 and my 55 hurdles were good,” Tamsin said. “I want my numbers to improve. But as of right now they aren’t bad.”
Lucianne Burnap established a personal record in the 55-hurdles, finishing sixth overall (11.46) for the Panthers. In the field events, Gabby Warriner-Cardin scored points and placed eighth-overall (21-08.50) in the shot put for the Panthers.
Burnap and Addison Chapin both finished tied for fifth (4-4.0) in the high jump for Pioneer.
In the long jump, Holly Babineau scored points and placed eighth-overall (13-09.75) for the Green Wave.
Boys track & field
Athol 27, Commerce 23 — The Bears downed the Raiders in Valley South competition. Elijah Etienne scored points and placed tied for seventh (32-10.50) in the shot put for the Bears.
John Blanchard took 14th overall (2:02.36) in the 600-meter event.
Frontier 41, Mohawk 35 — Ezra Rich’s first place performance in the shot put helped the Redhawks get past the Warriors in Valley North play.
Luke Howard placed second (2:45.76) in the 1000-meter for the Redhawks.
Tanner Biagini placed first overall in the 300-meter for Mohawk. Biagini also scored and placed ninth (6.94) in the 55-meter for the Warriors. Rex Kuoppala placed fourth overall (5:02.19) in the mile.
Peter Healey (11:14.57, third) and Carson Richardson (11:34.70, fourth) impressed in the 2-mile for the Warriors.
Mahar 51, Southwick 22 — The Senators ran past the Rams in Valley North competition.
Danny Quigley was eighth overall (39.18) in the 300-meter for the Senators. Ronnie Stone scored points and placed 15th overall (4-10.0) in the high jump.
Girls track & field
Athol 52, Commerce 1 — In Valley South competition, the Bears cruised past the Raiders. Emily Abram snagged a personal record in the shot put, finishing sixth overall (22-3.25) for Athol.
Mahar 40, Southwick 22 — Stellina Moore helped the Senators to a win over the Rams in Valley North play.
Moore finished tied for fourth overall (14-03.5) in the long jump and tied for third (4-8.0) in the high jump. Moore added a third place finish (9.98) in the 55-hurdles.
Madilyn Moore scored in the shot put for the Senators, finishing seventh (25 feet) overall.
Frontier 78, Mohawk 13 —The Redhawks defeated the Warriors in Valley North competition.
Louise Flagollet placed third in the 300-meter for the Redhawks. Louise Flagollet also took second overall (4-10.0) in the high jump. Phoebe Radner was seventh overall (1:58.44) in the 600-meter. Liv Christensen placed (14:19.49) in the 2-mile for Frontier. Emmanuelle Flagollet took second (9.55) in the 55-hurdles and fourth in the long jump (14-03.50).
Virginia Krezmien scored some points and placed sixth overall (3:40.32) in the 1000-meter for Mohawk. In the mile, Krezmien placed second overall (6:05.67).
BATON ROUGE – LSU Beach Volleyball coach Russell Brock has announced the addition of two transfers – Emily Hellmuth and Zayna Meyer – who will join the Tigers for the upcoming season.
Hellmuth and Meyer come to LSU as grad transfers. The Tigers return 11 players from last year’s team. These two transfers join LSU in addition to six freshmen.
“Really excited about our two additions for this spring,” Brock said. “They are both athletic players with good size and great skills and are excited about the transition to beach. Both, are decorated indoor players who have been seasoned leaders for their teams. Their work ethic, positive attitudes and excitement will be fantastic additions to our culture and our team this year. Couldn’t be more excited to add them to our family.”
Hellmuth comes to LSU after a great four-year career playing indoor volleyball at Pepperdine and Texas A&M University. During her time playing indoor, she was a lethal outside hitter with over 1,000 career kills. Three of her four seasons she recorded at least 300 kills and during a match in her final season, she recorded a career high .667 hitting percentage. As a senior last year, Hellmuth helped lead the Aggies to the NCAA National Championship Title with 72 digs, 45 blocks, 12 aces and eight assists.
“Emily has been tested as a passer and has great skills as a blocker and hitter. Her offensive ability will transition really well to the sand. She’s faced the biggest challenges under the brightest lights and has excelled in those moments.”
Meyer is coming to LSU following a four-year career playing indoor volleyball in which she finished her final season at UCLA with a total of 187 assists, 62 digs and 11 blocks. During the 2023 season, Meyer was named Big West Setter of the Year while playing indoor at Long Beach State and averaged 10 assists per set.
“Zayna is quick and springy. As one of the elite offensive setters in the country, she brings excellent control of the ball both as a setter and a hitter. Her ability to play above the net will also be a great asset defensively.”
OMAHA, Neb. — Wisconsin outside hitter Trinity Shadd-Ceres has signed to join the Creighton Volleyball program later this month. Shadd-Ceres is Creighton’s third high-profile transfer this winter, joining Ayden Ames (Texas) and Katie Dalton (Kansas).
“Everyone we have talked to about Trinity says she is the best teammate and hardest worker, so she is going to fit right in here at Creighton,” said Creighton head coach Brian Rosen. “She may also be the best overall athlete in any sport to come through! Trinity is so explosive off the floor, has a great arm, and ability to play six rotations. With experience in the Final Four this season, she can handle the big moments. With Angie’s training, there is no limit to her potential and we are all so excited to get her in the gym this spring!”
Shadd-Ceres played in nine matches for Wisconsin’s Final Four team in 2025, finishing the season with 12 kills, six digs, four assists and two blocks. Eight of her 12 kills came during the NCAA Tournament, including four kills in the First Round vs. Eastern Illinois on Dec. 4th and three more in a Regional Final win at Texas on Dec. 14th.
That came after Shadd-Ceres played in four matches as a freshman in 2024, starting two. She finished her rookie campaign with 10 kills, seven digs and three blocks in four matches played. Among her teammates in 2024 was current Bluejay defensive specialist Saige Damrow.
The 5-foot-11 native of Ontario, Canada, was named the Senior Female Volleyball Athlete of the Year in 2023 and a member of Team Canada’s U19 Women’s National Team. She was also a track standout before enrolling at Wisconsin, as she was named Junior Female Track & Field Athlete of the Year in 2022 and Senior Female Athlete of the Year in 2023. She also partcipated in Canada’s Olympic Trials in the Long Jump in 2024.
Creighton finished the 2025 season with a 28-6 record, appearing in its 14th straight NCAA Tournament, winning its 12th consecutive BIG EAST regular-season title, earning sixth BIG EAST Tournament title in a row and reaching its second straight Elite Eight.
While League One Volleyball (a.k.a. LOVB, pronounced “love”) may still be new to the mainstream sports conversation, its 2025 debut was more than enough to cement it as one of the fastest-growing women’s leagues in the game.
And that momentum isn’t slowing. Before its sophomore season tips off Jan. 7, LOVB has already expanded, with the league adding three new teams of top-tier athletes to join in 2027.
So what’s next in the meantime? USA Insider has everything you need to know about LOVB ahead of the 2026 season.
Now, channel your inner Jordan Thompson and dive in.
WHAT ARE THE LOVB TEAMS
LOVB currently has six franchises located out of Atlanta, Austin, Houston, Madison, Nebraska and Salt Lake City.
Each team bears a sleek, abstract logo representing its homebase—paired with a unique shade from the league’s signature bright color palette.
WHO ARE LOVB’S A-LIST SUPPORTERS
LOVB has found champions across the sports world and beyond, including investors such as Olympian Lindsey Vonn, WNBA alum Candace Parker, Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant, Amy Schumer (who played high school volleyball) and Chelsea Handler, to name a few.
And, not to mention, supporters who are already in, well, love with LOVB.
“The momentum in women’s volleyball is unreal, and we’re fired up about what’s coming next,” Reddit co-founder and entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian shared on X, after his firm announced it will lead the ownership of LOVB’s upcoming Los Angeles franchise. “Get ready, LA. Your new favorite team has officially landed.”
DOES LOVB HAVE OLYMPIC ATHLETES
Nineteen, representing 35 Olympic appearances, in fact.
Among them, gold medalist Xiangyu Gong (LOVB Madison) and two-time Olympians Ana Carolina da Silva and Anne Buijs (LOVB Nebraska).
WHAT NEW LOVB TEAMS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED
Starting in 2027, LOVB will expand from six to nine teams, adding Los Angeles, San Francisco and Minnesota to the roster.
“Being part of the founding of LOVB has been one of the great honors of my career, and helping launch LOVB San Francisco feels like the next chapter in that same purpose-driven journey,” three-time Olympic medalist Kelsey Cook said in a statement shared by the league. “We built LOVB to reshape what’s possible for volleyball players in this country, and bringing a pro team to one of the sport’s strongest and most passionate communities is a dream come true.”
WHEN DOES LOVB’S NEW SEASON BEGIN
LOVB’s second season begins Jan. 7, 2026, with 2025 champions LOVB Austin hosting LOVB Nebraska for the league’s First Serve.
HOW TO WATCH LOVB
To witness the excitement in person, fans can secure their tickets on LOVB’s website.
For those wanting to watch at home, the league’s Match of the Week will air on Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET, exclusively on USA Network (including the 2026 LOVB Championship Match).
All six teams play every week, with one weekday head-to-head match and one weekend three-match series.
